REPUBLICAN PAWNEE VILLAGE

Near here was a large permanent village of the Republican band
of the Pawnee tribe which may have been occupied as early as 1777.
On September 25, 1806, Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike visited the
village with a small party of soldiers. He was greeted by Chief
Characterish and 300 horsemen. The American party found that the
village had been recently visited by a large Spanish expedition
from Santa Fe.

Pike set up camp with rifle pits on the north bank of the river
opposite the village. He persuaded the Pawnee to lower a Spanish
flag and raise the American flag. After holding peace conferences
between the Osage, Kansa and Pawnee, Pike served notice the land
was now a part of the United States and the Spanish would be forbidden
in the area. On October 7th, the American party defied the warnings
of the Pawnee not to travel toward the Spanish settlements. He
and his party were captured by the Spanish but were eventually
released.

A short distance downstream from the village site is one of
the five "sacred places" of the Pawnee. It is known
as Pa-hur' to the Pawnee or "hill that points the
way" and as Guide Rock to the whites.

Guide Rock Lions Club
Community Betterment Committee
Historical Land Mark Council
Nebr. 78 in Guide Rock
Webster County
Marker 47